Gender Minister reaffirms Ghana’s commitment to gender equality at Women in Sustainability Africa summit
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Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to promoting gender equality and sustainable development at the inaugural Women in Sustainability Africa (WiSA) Summit.
Held under the theme “The Role of Women as a Source of Labour and Agents of Sustainability,” the summit convened leaders, policymakers, and gender advocates from across Africa to spotlight the critical role of women in driving sustainable change.
Dr. Lartey highlighted the importance of recognizing and supporting women as key drivers of sustainable growth in Africa. She stressed that Ghana’s government continues to integrate gender equality into national development strategies through policies like the National Gender Policy (2015), which promotes economic inclusion and empowerment, particularly for women with disabilities.
She also discussed the Ministry’s initiatives, including the development of a national toolkit aimed at involving men and boys in the fight for gender equality turning them into allies for social change.
Dr. Lartey noted the recent passage of the Affirmative Action Act as a major milestone that will help increase women’s representation in leadership and decision-making, helping to build a more inclusive society.
The Minister further outlined how social protection programs, such as the Ghana School Feeding Programme, are being used to promote sustainability. The program not only improves child nutrition and school attendance but also supports local food production and empowers women farmers.
She concluded by announcing a partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure gender-sensitive strategies are included in Ghana’s National Adaptation Plan to address climate change.
By Peterlyn Mensah